A special breed of honeybee from Arizona gathers pollen from an almond blossom in a Dixon, Calif. orchard on March 3, 2008. The two orange colored "pollen baskets" or corbicula are visible on it's legs. Researchers at UC Davis are experimenting with various breeds of bees hoping to find one that can resist the diseases and parasites that are affecting bees throughout the country, a huge threat to agriculture. Bees are needed to pollinate many of California's crops, including the almond trees now in full bloom.
Photo by Michael Maloney / San Francisco Chronicle

If you thought Berkeley was buzzing with eco-activity before, just wait until Tuesday.

The City Council is poised to transform all the city's parks and open spaces into habitats for bees. If the council approves the resolution, all future landscaping would be "pollinator-friendly" flowering native plants intended to attract bees, bats, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, beetles and flies.

"I think it's fantastic. This is exactly what we're trying to promote," said Jaime Pawelek, a researcher in urban bee ecology at UC Berkeley's Department of Environmental Science Policy and Management. "The Bay Area is a leader in the environmental movement - hopefully the rest of the country will follow this."

But those who like to eat at the parks or roll in the grass, such as young kids, aren't so sure. After all, more bees means more bee stings.

"Maybe they could put the bees in parks where kids never go," said Charles Cobb, who was playing with his two children at Codornices Park last week. "It seems like a good idea, but I'd worry about having them too close."

The city's proposing that the bee landscaping be planted at least 30 feet from children's play areas, barbecues, garbage cans and picnic tables. Staff would also post signs in the parks explaining the importance of bee habitats.

"Thirty feet is not enough," said Kristen Burmester, who was at Codornices Park with her two youngsters. "If you had a kid who was allergic to bees, it would cut out all parks. And I wonder about population control."

City officials proposed the idea about six months ago, after reading news reports about the global decline of pollinators, particularly bees. Pollinators are essential for plant reproduction, especially food sources such as fruit and nut trees, berries and many vegetables.

Pesticides and habitat reduction are the main culprits behind the bees' decline, Pawelek said. But an increase in native flowering plants would be a big help for bees and other pollinators.

"It's extremely important, if we ever want to eat an apple or pear again," she said. "If we lose bees, we'll just be eating rice and corn, which are wind pollinated."

Park users should not worry about stumbling across a hive and being attacked by a swarm of irate bees, she said. Most native bees live alone in the ground or hollow tree trunks, and only the females can sting.

Furthermore, they're more likely to fly away or simply buzz loudly if they're irritated. Stinging is not their first choice, she said.

"They're actually afraid of us," she said. "I've been handling bees for years and never been stung."

Former City Councilwoman Betty Olds was among those who first championed municipal bee advocacy. A former bee keeper, she said she was concerned about the species' decline and wanted to help.

"I read about the bees declining and thought, 'This is terrible. What can we do?' " he said. "Making our parks pollinator-friendly is totally possible and economically feasible, and a good way to help bees in our city."

The landscaping plan will not cost any more than the city's regular landscaping budget, according to city staff.

Lars Henri, who was with his 3-year-old at Codornices Park, said he loved the idea.

"Bring on the bees," he said. "Definitely more people will get stung. Bees are vital to the world, and we need them."

Bee resolution

The City Council is scheduled to vote on the bee resolution at its meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Old City Hall, 2134 Martin Luther King Way, Berkeley.